Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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T-Link of Two Profiled Sections
The invention relates to a T-link of two profiled sections, comprising a
connector
having two elongate clamping jaws that can be transversely clamped by a
fixation element, wherein the clamping jaws can be clamped such they close
like
pliers in undercut grooves of the outer surface of the second profiled section
and
engage a cavity of a first profiled section provided at an end face and can
also be
clamped on inner webs of the first profiled section that are arranged between
them and extend tube-parallel, wherein the first profiled section has more
than
two inner webs that are uniformly distributed about its inner circumference
and
are positioned diametrically opposite one another, wherein the clamping jaws
can
be clamped thereon in a longitudinal direction with linear and/or areal
contact
and, in this way, are to be held together against spreading loads acting in
the
plane of the clamped inner webs of the first profiled section.
A T-link having the aforementioned features is disclosed in WO 00/34670. The
longitudinal edges of the clamping jaws enclose an inner web between them. The
clamping surfaces of the clamping jaws and the clamping surfaces of the inner
webs are planar, respectively. In this way, a purely nonpositive connection
between the clamping jaws and the inner webs is realized. The clamping force
effective in this connection depends on the fixation element with which the
clamping jaws are clamped. At the same time, the fixation elements also serves
for clamping the clamping jaws on undercut grooves of the outer surface of the
second profiled section in a pliers-like engagement. Accordingly, it cannot be
precluded that tolerances in the area of the second profiled section have
effects
on the clamping force of the clamping jaws on the first profiled section or on
its
inner webs. Accordingly, this can result in undesirable clamping force
fluctuations so that the stability of the connection is different,
accordingly.
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sections can result in that the inner webs are not clamped
tightly enough by the clamping jaws so that they can move
and, in an extreme situation, can slip out of the clamping
jaws when the deformation of the profiled section is large
enough. In this case, the stability of the connection of
the T-link is affected in an undesirable way.
It is therefore an object of embodiments of the
invention to configure a T-link having the aforementioned
features such that the stability of the connection is
improved.
The aforementioned object is solved in embodiments
of the invention in which the clamped inner webs are to be
held together in a positive-locking way by the clamping jaws.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided T-connection of two profiled bars, wherein
the T-connection consists of the two profiled bars and a
connector, wherein the connector comprises two longitudinal
clamping jaws braced in a transverse manner by a fixing
element and clamped in a locking manner into undercut
peripheral grooves of a second one of the profiled bars in a
pincer-like manner and engage in a hollow space of a first
one of the profile bars at an end side and are fixedly
clamped on inner webs of the first profiled bar which webs
are disposed therebetween and extend parallel to a
longitudinal direction of the first profiled bar, wherein
the first profiled bar comprises more than two such inner
webs distributed evenly around its inner periphery and
disposed diametrically opposite one another, the clamping
jaws are fixedly clamped adjacent to the inner webs in any
one of a longitudinal linear manner and a planiform manner,
wherein the inner webs are held together against a spreading
load of the first profiled bar acting in a plane of the
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clamped inner webs, wherein the clamped inner webs are held
together by the clamping jaws in a positive-locking manner.
It is important in connection with the invention
to deviate from the pure nonpositive action of the
connection between the clamping jaws and the inner webs.
Instead, the clamped inner webs are to be held together in a
positive-locking way by the clamping jaws. The invention is
based on the recognition that in most construction
situations loads will occur that will lead to a deformation
of the first profiled section where the inner webs have a
tendency to be pulled transversely out of the clamping jaws.
The utilization of a positive-locking engagement of the
inner webs results accordingly in a significant
stabilization of the T-link even when load components are
present which result in a tendency of deformations of the
first profiled section perpendicularly to the plane defined
by the clamped inner webs.
An expedient embodiment of the aforedescribed
positive-locking connection between the inner webs and the
clamping jaws is characterized in that the inner webs and
the clamping jaws are to be positive-lockingly held together
by means of coupling ribs and coupling grooves extending
continuously in the longitudinal direction of the web. The
embodiment of the coupling means as ribs and grooves ensures
for the purpose of assembly positioning in the longitudinal
direction at any location so that tolerances present in
these directions have no effect on the desired fast clamping
action. Clamping jaws of identical configuration can be
used for different rod cross-sections and, primarily, also
for different spacings of the first profiled section
relative to the second profiled section, for example, in
order to use covering caps between both rods.
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It is advantageous in some embodiments to
configure the T-link such that on the clamping jaws coupling
ribs are provided that engage coupling grooves of the inner
webs. The coupling ribs can be arranged near the edges so
that the clamping jaws can be designed to be correspondingly
narrow; in some embodiments this is advantageous for smaller
and thus limited cross-sections of the first profiled
section.
In some embodiments, an advantageous positive-
locking connection between the inner web and the clamping
jaws results when the T-link is configured such that a
coupling groove of an inner web is formed between two
longitudinally extending web ribs. In this case, a
positive-locking connection is ensured in both directions
transversely to the inner webs. Accordingly, a deformation
of the first profiled section in both directions
transversely to the inner webs is prevented. The web ribs
enable a high arrangement of the coupling groove relative to
the cross-section center of the inner webs and thus a
greater thickness of the web in the area of the coupling
groove.
In some embodiments the inner web in the area of a
coupling groove is practically of the same thickness as in
the connecting area at the inner circumference of the first
profiled section. In this way, a stability of the inner web
is ensured that is practically of the same magnitude in the
area of the coupling ribs as in the connecting area of the
inner web on the inner circumference of the first profiled
section.
In some embodiments, a further improvement of the
connection between the clamping jaw and the inner webs
results when the inner webs are provided on both sides with
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a coupling groove, respectively, and each clamping jaw is
provided on both sides with a coupling rib, respectively.
By means of the resulting doubling of the coupling means it
is achieved that the specific loading of the coupling means
can be reduced accordingly. It is possible to reduce the
projections and recesses of the coupling ribs and coupling
grooves required for the positive-locking coupling action
with regard to their size.
For a universal utilization of the clamping jaws
and of the profiled sections, in some embodiments, all inner
webs of a profiled section are formed with identically sized
coupling ribs and coupling grooves. In this way, an often
disruptive preferred positioning of the profiled section for
assembly is prevented.
The T-link can be configured such that the first
profiled section has a round cross-section and the inner
webs have in the attachment area at the inner circumference
of the first profiled section a spacer web section extending
to the coupling groove. The spacer web section takes into
consideration the curvature of the profiled section such
that the clamping jaws can engage at a greater spacing from
its inner circumference and therefore do not hit with their
longitudinal edges the profiled section.
A further T-link is characterized in that the
first profiled section has a square cross-section and has a
single, centrally arranged inner web at the inner
circumference of each section. This embodiment enables, in
particular for small square cross-sections of the profiled
section, the configuration of clamping jaws having a thick
cross-section. In an extreme situation, the cross-section
of a clamping jaw can extend across half the cross-section
of the profiled section. In this
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square cross-sections of the profiled section, the configuration of clamping
jaws
having a thick cross-section. In an extreme situation, the cross-section of a
clamping jaw can extend across half the cross-section of the profiled section.
In
this connection, only the presence of the inner web that is not used for
clamping
must be taken into account.
The aforementioned configuration of the T-link is particularly suitable for
greater
loads in that the inner web, starting from a coupling groove, adjoins with a
reinforcement bead the inner circumference of the rod wall.
The invention will be explained with the embodiments illustrated in the
drawing.
It is shown in:
Fig. 1 a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a T-link;
Fig. 2 a cross-section of the first profiled section of the T-link of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3, 4 illustrations corresponding to Figs. 1, 2 of T-links of two square
profiled sections.
The Figs. 1, 2 show a connection of a first profiled section 4 with a second
profiled section 8 by means of a connector 1. The profiled sections 4, 8 are
tubular and have a substantially circular cross-section. The outer
circumference
of each profiled section 4, 8 is provided with undercut grooves 7 on the outer
surface so that outer webs 83 are formed accordingly. These outer webs 83 and
the grooves 7 on the outer surface forming them are present on the profiled
sections 4, 8 in order to be able to connect them mechanically.
The connector 1 is comprised of two clamping jaws 6 of a solid configuration.
The clamping jaws 6 engage with leg ends 20 of the jaw legs 19 of the clamping
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jaws the profiled section 8. When doing so, the leg ends 20 engage between
them two outer webs 83 of the profiled section 8 like pliers. The clamping
forces
to be exerted in this connection are applied by a fixation element 5.
The fixation element 5 is arranged between the jaw legs 19 and an insertion
end
2 of the connector 1 in the area between the profiled section 4 and the
profiled
section 8 so that it is accessible accordingly.
The fixation element 5 has a screw which is screwed into a nut 14. The
clamping
jaws 6 are tightened between this clamping nut and a screw head 16 and
compressed so that the leg ends 20 are secured in the undercuts of the grooves
7 on the outer webs 83. As soon as the fixation process is completed, the end
face of the profiled section 4 facing the profiled section 8 can be closed by
a
covering cap 29 so that the jaw legs 19 of the clamping jaws 6 are practically
no
longer visible and the fixation element 5 is also covered.
When actuating the fixation element 5 of the connector 1, the latter must be
connected to the profiled section 4 such that the T-link of the two profiled
sections 4, 8 becomes effective. For this purpose, the profiled sections 4, 8
and,
in particular, the profiled section 4, are provided with inner webs; they are
referenced in Figs. 1, 2 at 10 and in Figs. 3, 4 at 10' because their cross-
sections
differ. However, they have in common that two inner webs 10 or 10' are
positioned diametrically opposite one another. This enables, in particular,
that
two identically configured clamping jaws 6 can be employed in order to attach
the
connector 1 to the inner webs 10, 10'. For such an attachment, the clamping
jaws 6 have longitudinal edges 94 so that between two adjacent longitudinal
edges 94 of two clamping jaws 6 an inner web 10, 10' can be clamped,
respectively. When actuating a fixation element 5 in the sense of clamping the
clamping jaws 6, the longitudinal edges 94 are supported on the inner webs 10,
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10' and clamp them tightly therebetween. In this way, it is achieved that the
connector 1 cannot be pulled out longitudinally from the profiled section 4
when
the loads acting of the connector 1 are kept within the limits of the range
that is
set by the construction.
The T-link of the two profiled sections 4, 8 is used in constructions where
the
loads occur not only in the longitudinal directions of the rods. Instead,
transverse
loads also occur, for example, bending or torsional loads of constructions
assembled from profiled sections. When, for example, the profiled section 4 in
Fig. 1 is vertically loaded, the profiled section 4 has a tendency to deform
ovally.
Its cross-section no longer would be circular, as illustrated in Fig. 2, but
oval.
Inner webs with planar clamping surfaces can then be loaded such that the
nonpositive connection no longer functions. Spreading and thus a
corresponding destabilization of the T-link would occur. In an extreme
situation,
an inner web would slip out of its clamping position between two longitudinal
edges 94 of the clamping jaws 6. In order to prevent this, the inner webs 10,
10'
are provided with coupling grooves 87 that extended longitudinally in the
direction of the inner webs 10, 10'. They are thus manufactured simultaneously
with the profiled sections 4, 8, i.e., by extrusion. Accordingly, their
manufacturing
expenditure is correspondingly minimal.
Because of the cross-section of configuration of the profiled sections 4, 8,
the
inner webs 10, 10' are differently configured. The inner webs 10 are longer
than
the inner webs 10'. The inner webs 10 engage with their projections 89 the
inner periphery 90 of the first profiled section 4 by means of a spacer web
section
91. Two web ribs 88 adjoin the spacer web section 91 on both sides and engage
between them a coupling groove 87, respectively. The web ribs 88 constitute an
enlargement of the cross-section and thus contribute also to a stiffening of
the
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profiled section 4, 8. On both sides of the inner webs 10, two ribs 88 with
intermediately positioned coupling grooves 87 are provided. A coupling rib 86
of
a clamping jaw 6 engages each one of the coupling grooves 87 so that each
clamping jaw 6 with each one of the longitudinal edges 94 positive-lockingly
engages an inner web 10, i.e., positive lockingly relative to spreading loads
which
act in a plane of the inner webs 10 engaged by the clamping jaws 6. The main
directions of these spreading loads in a bending situation of the profiled
section 4
are indicated in Fig. 2 by the double- headed arrow 95. These are thus the
directions into which the inner webs 10 with their cross-sections are pointing
according to Fig. 2.
As a result of the web ribs 88 being present on either side of the coupling
grooves 87, a positive-locking connection is provided in both directions 95.
For
reasons of stability, when shaping the cross-section of the inner webs 10,
attention must be paid that the inner web 10, in the area of the two
oppositely
positioned grooves 87, is practically of the same thickness as in a connecting
area 89 on the inner circumference 90 of the first profiled section 4 or the
spacer
web section 91.
When configuring the inner webs 10' according to Figs. 3, 4, a spacer web
section 91 is not required. As a result of this, the coupling grooves 87 can
be
located very closely to the inner circumference 90' of the profiled section 4.
From
the coupling ribs 87 a transition in the form of a reinforcement bead 93 into
the
inner circumference 90' is provided.
Accordingly, only a single longitudinally extending web rib 88 on each side of
the
inner web 10' is formed. The spacing between the two coupling grooves 87 is
such that the stiffness of the inner web 10' relative to tensile loads acting
in the
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direction 95 is sufficient.
The profiled sections 4, 8 of Figs. 4, 3 are of a special configuration in
comparison to the previous embodiments in that on each rod wall 92 only a
single inner web 10' is formed. The four inner webs 10' of the square profiled
section 4, 8 are centrally arranged, respectively. Accordingly, the connector
1
can be inserted into and fastened on the profiled section only in the position
illustrated in Fig. 4, or when rotated by 90E. In no situation is there a risk
that the
clamping jaws 6 could be hindered by the rod walls 92; this would be the case
in
Fig. 2 if the inner webs 10 were not provided with spacer web sections 91 or
were correspondingly longer. In the case of the circular cross-sections of the
profiled sections 4, 8 it is however expedient when the clamping jaws 6 with
longitudinal edges engage an intermediate space which is formed between the
clamped inner web and the neighboring inner web. The clamping jaws 6 can
then be formed to be correspondingly stronger; this results in an improved
support of the coupling ribs 86 or the longitudinal edges 94 of the clamping
jaws
6.
The clamping jaws 6 according to Figs. 2, 4 are connected parallel to the
coupling ribs 86 in a positive-locking way in the directions 95. This positive-
locking action is effected by alternatingly arranged projections 96 and
recesses
97 which have very large cross-sections so that a corresponding stabilization
of
the mutual engagement of the clamping jaws 6 between the webs 10, 10' results;
this is advantageous with regard to the loads to be distributed.
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